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The Mexicans who will build Trump's wall

Cemex, a global giant in the cement business is willing to help build the border security wall that President Trump has repeatedly said he wants to see along the US/Mexico border. Cemex President Rogelio Zambrano told Mexican newspaper Reforma "We will gladly do it," in an interview published on Wednesday. He had been asked whether Cemex would sell cement for the looming project.

Trump has frequently reiterated his intention to build the wall.

Zambrano did not know whether other Mexican companies would participate in the wall project or whether indeed there is demand for his company's product. According to The Hill, at least 225 construction and engineering firms are interested in building Trump's wall. They have until March 10 to submit a prototype concept paper. A formal request for a proposal to the federal government is due on March 24. Among the interested groups are Caddell and Raytheon. The latter is a top defense contractor.

Small businesses are also interested, including 20 Latino-owned firms that are braving possible blowback from their community for participating in a project so vilified by Democrats, progressives, and various Latino organizations such as La Raza.

The Mexican president and foreign minister, as well as other Mexican politicians, have denied that Mexico will foot the bill for the wall as has been repeatedly said by Trump. On March 1, Vice President Mike Pence said that Mexico will indeed pay for the project. On ABC's "Good Morning America," Pence said, “We’re gong to build a wall." He added, "We’re going to enforce the laws of this country.” Show host George Stephanopoulos said that the president "didn’t say Mexico is going to pay for [the wall],”in a reference to Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday evening. “Well, they are,” responded Pence.

According to the The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the estimated cost of the wall may reach $21.6 billion.